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ACT Test Dates for 2023-2024

By Will Geiger
Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University. Full Bio
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania. Full Bio
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Updated: July 13th, 2023

ACT Test Dates for 2023-2024 

Standardized tests, such as the ACT, are important parts of the scholarship application process for both college-specific merit scholarship and private scholarships. The first step to achieving a strong score on the ACT is by actually signing up for the ACT! We’ve collected all of the ACT test dates for you on this page. 

2023 ACT Test Dates 

Students can register for any of the 2023-2024 ACT Test dates on the ACT website. 

September test date 

  • September 9, 2023 
  • Registration Deadline: August 4 
  • Registration Deadline with late fee: August 18 

October test date 

  • October 28, 2023 
  • Registration Deadline: September 22 
  • Registration Deadline with late fee: October 6 

December test date 

  • December 9, 2023 
  • Registration Deadline: November 3 
  • Registration Deadline with late fee: November 17 

February test date 

  • February 10, 2024 
  • Registration Deadline: January 5 
  • Registration Deadline with late fee: January 19 

April test date 

  • April 13, 2024 
  • Registration Deadline: March 8 
  • Registration Deadline with late fee: March 22 

June test date 

  • June 8, 2024 
  • Registration Deadline: May 3 
  • Registration Deadline with late fee: May 17 

July test date 

  • July 13, 2024* 
  • Registration Deadline: June 7 
  • Registration Deadline with late fee: June 21 

*No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date 

When to take the ACT 

Most test experts recommend that you finish your junior year of high school with at least one official testing under your belt. Remember, you can take either the ACT or the SAT–both are equally accepted by college admissions offices. 

Choosing between the ACT and SAT  

Choosing between the ACT and SAT is a common dilemma for students, as each test differs from the other. Make sure you explore what each test has to offer and ask yourself some of the questions below to get a feel for which exam might be best suited to you!  

Ask yourself: 

  • What are my academic strengths and weaknesses? 
  • What subjects do I find that I enjoy studying most? 
  • What classes do I consistently receive good grades in?  

How much the ACT costs 

The ACT doesn’t come without a price tag. However, there are ways that you can receive a fee waiver, which will cover the cost of your exam. Check with your school about whether you qualify for a fee waiver. The 2023-2024 fees are below. 

FeesDetails
ACT (no writing)$68Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges 
ACT (with writing) $93Includes reports for you, your high school, and up to four colleges

From: ACT official website 

Sending your ACT scores to colleges 

When you take the ACT, you will be able to send your scores directly to the college or university that you want to attend. You can typically send your score to up to four colleges at no additional cost, but this does not mean you have to send your score to four schools, or any at all. Remember, if you get a score you aren’t satisfied with, you can retake the ACT as well.  

Resources for students 

If you are preparing to take the ACT, there is a lot of work to be done, and we could spend time talking about a dozen other aspects of the ACT. Continue to explore free resources available to you for studying, and how to choose the best tutor. Also, take some time to look at what score is a good score, what a superscore is  and what score you may want to aim to earn. If you need free ACT test prep, we can point you in the right direction. Remember, you’ve got this! 

Next Steps

Next Steps

 
  • Carefully consider whether taking the ACT is right for you 
  • Choose a date to take the ACT that gives you enough time to study and prepare 
  • Sign up before the registration date close to avoid paying late fees or missing the test date registration window 
  • Take the test and send your scores to the colleges of your choice! 
Next Steps

Frequently asked questions about ACT test dates 

How long is the ACT test?

The ACT without the essay portion is roughly three hours, whereas the ACT with the essay is roughly four hours in length. Don’t let the length of the exam scare you though! The ACT has breaks built into it so that you don’t burn out! 

When can I take the ACT?

It’s recommended that you take the ACT during your junior year of high school. Taking the test then will ensure that you have a score to send to potential colleges during your senior year. However, students can take the ACT much sooner than their junior year. If you wish to take it sooner, you can begin as early as middle school, though starting in your freshman or sophomore year is likely more than enough of a head start.

What time of year should you take the ACT test?

The time of year you take the ACT depends on what year you are in high school and how prepared you feel. If you are in your senior year, you may have no choice but to take it in the fall in order to have your scores in time for college applications. However, if you are taking the test during your freshman or sophomore year, don’t feel the need to rush yourself. Take an extra semester, or bit of time to study, and prepare well in order to receive the best possible score!